Rob KuhnAlectra Inc.Toronto and Region Conservation AuthorityToronto HydroEnvironment CanadaHydro One

Tens of thousands without power as southern Ontario cleans up after destructive storm; DVP, Gardiner partially closed

Tens of thousands remain without power in southern Ontario following a destructive storm that caused widespread flooding and road closures, including the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway. Toronto Hydro reported 8,300 outages, while Hydro One indicated over 58,000 customers were affected across the region.

CBC+1 source3 September 2026 · 12:33 UTC
CuriousCats Full Story

Tens of thousands of residents in southern Ontario are grappling with power outages and severe flooding after a destructive storm swept through the region.10

Toronto Hydro reported that approximately 8,300 customers remain without power, while Hydro One indicated that over 58,000 customers are affected. At its peak, the storm caused outages for about 65,000 residents in Toronto alone.34

The storm brought intense weather, including winds reaching up to 100 km/h and rainfall exceeding 100 millimetres. Environment Canada issued multiple weather alerts, warning of severe thunderstorms and hail ranging from golf-ball- to tennis-ball-sized.127

Major roads, including the Gardiner Expressway and Don Valley Parkway, remain partially closed due to flooding. Images showed vehicles stranded in water, with some drivers waiting for assistance. The Don River overflowed, causing significant flooding on the DVP, which is a known trouble spot.5

Toronto police received about 300 calls regarding downed power lines, and the city has warned residents to avoid flooded areas. The Toronto and Region Conservation Authority has issued flood warnings, advising that all rivers and shorelines should be considered dangerous.

As cleanup efforts continue, crews are working to restore power to the remaining homes affected by the storm, with some areas still facing outages.6

"It's definitely the strongest one of the year. No doubt about that," said a local meteorologist, reflecting on the storm's intensity.

Key Insight
“Toronto police received about 300 calls about downed power lines in the past 24 hours, and the TRCA warns all rivers and streams are dangerous due to flooding. Environment Canada meteorologist Rob Kuhn called it the strongest storm of the year, with peak rainfall possibly reaching 125 millimetres.”
Severe thunderstorms sweep across southern Ontario
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Severe thunderstorms sweep across southern Ontario
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1
CBC
“Toronto Hydro said early today roughly 8,300 customers were still without power. The province's Crown-owned power supplier, Hydro One, said more than 58,000 customers are without power.”
CBC →
2
Toronto Star
“Stretches of the Don Valley Parkway (DVP) were completely flooded Wednesday, and southbound lanes from the Bayview off-ramp to the Don Roadway and Gardiner Expressway West are still shut down until further notice, There is also a full closure of the eastbound Gardiner and northbound DVP from the Jarvis off-ramp to the Royal Drive and Bloor access ramp.”
Toronto Star →
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EARLIER IN THE STORY:
Severe thunderstorms hit Toronto and southern Ontario, flooding streets, knocking out power for 45,000, and disrupting flights and events
Toronto Star
Severe thunderstorms hit Toronto and southern Ontario, flooding streets, knocking out power for 45,000, and disrupting flights and events

Extreme thunderstorms hit Toronto and southern Ontario on Wednesday afternoon, causing flooding, mass power outages, cancelled flights and events.

Don Valley ParkwayEnvironment CanadaExtreme Weather
2026-09-03
TL;DR by CuriousCats.ai
  • Severe thunderstorms developed Wednesday afternoon, bringing heavy rain, hail, and high winds to Toronto, causing chaos during rush hour.
  • Environment Canada issued multiple emergency alerts warning of destructive winds and hail as large as tennis balls.
  • Flooding forced the closure of the Don Valley Parkway and stranded cars, while TTC stations were flooded, causing delays.
  • Toronto Hydro initially reported 65,000 customers without power, which was later reduced to 45,000.
  • Rogers Stadium sustained significant damage, leading to the postponement of the Salt-N-Pepa concert and the shutdown of the Canadian National Exhibition.
  • Environment Canada is investigating a possible tornado near Kitchener, with the storm potentially being the strongest in 20 years.
CuriousCats
RELATED COVERAGE:
Thousands remain without power across southern Ontario after damaging storms flood streets, down trees and utility lines; Toronto Hydro reports 8,300 outages, Hydro One 58,000
CP24🇨🇦3 September 2026 · 12:09 UTC
Thousands remain without power across southern Ontario after damaging storms flood streets, down trees and utility lines; Toronto Hydro reports 8,300 outages, Hydro One 58,000

The storm forced closure of Yonge Street and the Don Valley Parkway, suspended subway service during Wednesday's rush hour, and caused flight delays at Pearson airport. Rogers Stadium, a 50,000-capacity venue, suffered serious damage from the severe weather.

Toronto cleans up after ferocious storm floods streets, downs trees, and leaves 25,000 without power; DVP remains closed indefinitely
🇨🇦3 September 2026 · 11:12 UTC
Toronto cleans up after ferocious storm floods streets, downs trees, and leaves 25,000 without power; DVP remains closed indefinitely

Environment Canada escalated its warning from orange to red, indicating life-threatening conditions, as 43.3 mm of rain fell at Pearson in hours. CP24 Meteorologist Bill Coulter called it 'one for the history books,' predicting totals could exceed 100 mm.

Cleanup continues across Toronto after severe storm floods roads and knocks out power; thousands still without electricity
🇨🇦3 September 2026 · 12:31 UTC
Cleanup continues across Toronto after severe storm floods roads and knocks out power; thousands still without electricity

Toronto police received about 300 calls reporting downed power lines within 24 hours, and Toronto Hydro said 8,300 homes and businesses remained dark Thursday. The storm also forced the CNE to close early Wednesday, but it reopened Thursday, while Rogers Stadium suffered serious damage with no injuries reported.

Widespread power outages persist across southern Ontario after damaging storms; flooding closes Yonge Street, Don Valley Parkway, suspends subway
Yahoo! Finance Canada🇨🇦3 September 2026 · 08:23 UTC
Widespread power outages persist across southern Ontario after damaging storms; flooding closes Yonge Street, Don Valley Parkway, suspends subway

Toronto Hydro reports roughly 8,300 homes and businesses still without power, while Hydro One says more than 58,000 customers remain offline. The flooding also forced closure of major roadways and suspended subway service during the Wednesday afternoon rush hour.

DVP stretch remains closed Thursday morning due to flooding as storm cleanup continues across Toronto
CTV News🇨🇦3 September 2026 · 10:46 UTC
DVP stretch remains closed Thursday morning due to flooding as storm cleanup continues across Toronto

The closure affects a key commuter route, with live updates being provided as crews work to clear debris and water. Motorists are advised to seek alternate routes until the section reopens.

Severe storms slam southern Ontario, leaving widespread power outages and flooding in Toronto area; road closures and subway suspension hit rush hour
Canada's National Observer🇨🇦3 September 2026 · 10:59 UTC
Severe storms slam southern Ontario, leaving widespread power outages and flooding in Toronto area; road closures and subway suspension hit rush hour

Toronto Hydro reported roughly 8,300 homes and businesses still without power early Thursday, while the province's Crown-owned supplier said more than 58,000 customers remained offline. The storm also caused flight delays and cancellations at Pearson airport and damaged Rogers Stadium, a 50,000-capacity music venue.

Severe thunderstorm warning ends in Toronto after destructive storm sweeps GTA; city activates emergency operations centre
🇨🇦3 September 2026 · 10:46 UTC
Severe thunderstorm warning ends in Toronto after destructive storm sweeps GTA; city activates emergency operations centre

The storm prompted the city to activate its emergency operations centre, indicating a significant response to the damage. The warning's end signals the immediate threat has passed, but recovery and assessment efforts are likely underway.

Severe storms flood Toronto, knock out power for thousands as Hydro One reports 58,000 customers still offline
🇨🇦3 September 2026 · 09:11 UTC
Severe storms flood Toronto, knock out power for thousands as Hydro One reports 58,000 customers still offline

Toronto Hydro said roughly 8,300 homes and businesses remained without power early Thursday, while Hydro One reported over 58,000 customers offline. The storm also forced closure of parts of Yonge Street and the Don Valley Parkway, suspended subway service, and caused flight delays at Pearson airport.

Severe thunderstorms hit Toronto, cutting power to tens of thousands and flooding roads as crews respond across the Greater Toronto Area
Al Jazeera🇨🇦3 September 2026 · 05:35 UTC
Severe thunderstorms hit Toronto, cutting power to tens of thousands and flooding roads as crews respond across the Greater Toronto Area

Toronto Hydro reported about 65,000 customers without power, while Hydro One showed 60,000+ impacted in areas like Guelph and Woodstock. Mayor Olivia Chow said the city's emergency operations centre has been active since Wednesday morning, with crews addressing downed wires and fallen trees.

Damaging storms blast southern Ontario causing flooding and power outages in Toronto; tens of thousands still without power as of early Thursday
🇨🇦3 September 2026 · 05:35 UTC
Damaging storms blast southern Ontario causing flooding and power outages in Toronto; tens of thousands still without power as of early Thursday

Toronto Hydro reported about 17,000 customers still without power as of early Thursday, down from about 65,000 on Wednesday, while Hydro One reported roughly 52,000 in the dark. The storm also forced flight delays at Pearson airport, postponed the Salt-N-Pepa concert, and shut down the Canadian National Exhibition early.

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